Had Giroud been fit for the entire campaign, rather than injured for three months from the end of August, perhaps Arsenal would be even better off.

His tally of 17 goals in 26 games, still fresh and hungry as the season ends, is firing Arsenal to a potentially very happy season.

Perhaps more ­realistically an FA Cup win and second spot, would be a very satisfactory return.

But there is a chink of light in the title race. Ramsey said: “We just have to focus on ourselves and believe other teams around us will be on the end of upsets. We just have to try and win every game until the end of the season.

“In this division teams can lose against anyone. We have just got to be switched on and make sure it doesn’t happen to us and maintain this run.”

Wenger said: “We are showing good consistency and it is making it very interesting.”

At the double: Giroud continued his form in front of goal (Photo: Action)

The Arsenal chief reckons Giroud has been polished into one of the best strikers in Europe – his skills vastly improved in the last five years.

He said: “Maybe I should give him a rest at the start of every season! ­Technically he is a much better player now. That is why he is scoring goals.

“His touch, his link-up play, his finishing, have all improved. If you saw footage of when he first arrived and watch him today it is obvious he is better.

"At 22/23 he played in ­Division 3 in France and today he is at Arsenal. I believe there is still room for improvement.”